The Lady of Carlisle

Down in Carlisle there lived a lady Being most beautiful and gay She was determined to stay a lady No man on earth could her betray Unless it was a man of honour The man of honour, and high degree And there approached two loving soldiers This fair lady for to see One being a brave lieutenant A brave lieutenant and a man of war The other being a bold sea captain Captain of a ship that had come from afar And then out spoke that brave young lady Saying, "I can be but one man's bride If you'll come back tomorrow morning On this case we will decide" She ordered her a span of horses A span of horses at her command And down the road, these three together They rode till they come to the lion's den And there they stopped, and there they halted Those two soldiers stood gazing round And for the space of half an hour That young lady lay speechless on the ground And when she did recover Threw her fan in the lion's den Said, "Which of you to gain a lady Will return my fan again?" And then up spoke that brave lieutenant He raised his voice both loud and clear He said, "I know I am a dear lover of women I will not risk my life for love" And then up spoke that bold sea captain He raised his voice both loud and high He said, "I know I am a dear lover of women I will return your fan or die" In the lion's den he boldly entered The lions being both wild and fierce He walked unharmed and in a moment He did return her fan again And when she saw he lover coming Seeing no harm to him was done She laid her head all upon his bosom Saying, "Here is the prize that you have won"